Device for displacing mown crop

ABSTRACT

The haymaking device has a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line, and two side arms extending on both sides of the main beam, wherein the side arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at an inner end hingeably connected to a slide connection which is slidable there along the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between a transport position, in which they substantially extend along the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arms extend at a second angle, larger than the first angle, from the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between the transport position and the operative position by a sliding movement of the slide connection along the main beam.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT application numberPCT/NL2011/000017 filed on 4 Mar. 2011, which claims priority fromNetherlands application number NL 1037783 filed on 8 Mar. 2010. Bothapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for working a crop, such as a rake, atedder or a mower. In particular, the invention relates to a device fordisplacing mown crop, more in particular mown grass. In particular, theinvention relates to a rake device. Rake devices can be designed so asto have a central frame and side arms projecting on both sides thereof,on which side arms one or more rake wheels are mounted. The side armsare connected to the frame by means of hinges in order to be able torotate between a rest position, in which they extend substantiallyparallel to each other, and one or more operative positions, in whichthey extend sidewardly. In order to limit the width in the transportposition, the rake wheels can be pivoted to a position in which theiraxes of rotation are oriented substantially horizontally and in whichthey are completely free from the ground.

2. Description of the Related Art

EP 1.488.685, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, showsa multiple rake device having a longitudinal girder to be coupled to atractor and supported by a wheel set, which longitudinal girder istelescopically adjustable in length. The side arms are hingeably mountedto the rear end of the longitudinal girder, where also a transmission,in the form of a gearbox, of the drive for the rake wheels is located.Between the longitudinal girder and the side arms there are mountedholding rods, one end of which is hingeably mounted to the side arms andthe opposite end of which is hingeably mounted to a slide element whichis slidable along the longitudinal girder. In the transport position,the slide element is located on the front end of the longitudinal girderand the holding rods extend rearwardly parallel to the longitudinalgirder. The side arms then extend forwardly parallel to the longitudinalgirder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,440, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety, shows a device with a comparable basic construction,provided with tools for planting, spraying or ploughing, comprising amain beam which is telescopically adjustable in length and two side armswhich are hingeably connected to the main beam at the rear end thereofand which carry the tools. The side arms are further movably connectedto the front part of the main beam by means of holding rods. In order tobring the side arms from a spread operative position, in which theydefine a forwardly opening V-shape, to a transport position parallel tothe main beam, the length of the main beam is reduced so that thedistance between the front part and the end part is reduced. In order tochange the weight distribution for transport, the support wheel set,which is located at the rear end, is displaced forwardly.

EP 1.077.595, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,shows a multiple rake device in which the rake wheels are mounted onrespective side arms, which side arms are also pivotable upwardly to atransport position. The side arms are hingeably mounted to the rear endof a longitudinal girder, where also a transmission of the drive for therake wheels is located. A slide element is movable on the longitudinalgirder, which slide element is movably connected to the side arms bymeans of holding rods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device having aframe with a main beam, and two side arms, which device can be broughtinto and out of the transport position in a favourable manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device, by meansof which the distribution of the mass can be influenced in a simpleand/or favourable manner when switching between the operative positionand the transport position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device, whichdevice has an improved driving behaviour in the transport position,drawn by a tractor, in particular with respect to rocking and/orswinging.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device, whichhas an improved stability during transport behind a tractor.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device, which iscompact.

From one aspect, the invention provides a haymaking device comprising aframe having a main beam extending in a longitudinal direction, whichmain beam defines a longitudinal centre line, and two side armsextending sidewardly from the main beam on both sides thereof, whereinthe side arms each carry one crop processing tool and are hingeablyconnected at an inner end to a slide connection which is slidable therealong the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between atransport position, in which they substantially extend along the mainbeam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, inwhich the side arms extend from the main beam, at a second angle, largerthan the first angle, wherein the side arms are displaceable between thetransport position and the operative position by sliding of the slideconnection along the main beam. This results in a changed position ofthe inner ends of the side arms, and consequently in a changed positionof a part of the mass of the device, when viewed in longitudinaldirection.

In one embodiment, in which the device has a front end and a rear end,the slide connection is located closer to the front end in the transportposition than in the operative position. In the case of theabove-mentioned known rake devices, in the transport position arelatively large part of the mass is carried by the support wheelsinstead of by the coupling to the tractor, as a result of which the rakedevice drawn by the tractor shows an instable behaviour, in particularmay yaw around the coupling to the tractor during road transport. Inthis embodiment of the device according to the invention, when passingfrom the operative position to the transport position, the mass can bebrought further to the front end, where the coupling will be located,which enhances the stability during transport. In addition, this makesit possible to limit the length of the longitudinal girder.

In a further development of the device according to the invention, theside arms and the main beam are interconnected at a distance from theslide connection by means of a respective holding rod both ends of whichare hingeably connected to the respective side arm and the main beam. Inthis case, the inner ends of the holding rods are preferably stationaryattached to the main beam when viewed in longitudinal direction. If themain beam is provided at a front end with means for hitching to atractor (e.g. a hitch), the inner ends of the holding rods and thehitching means can, in a simple embodiment, be mutually stationary whenviewed in longitudinal direction.

Each side arm can be provided with a support wheel for supporting theside arm in the operative position and in the transport position. Inthis case, said support wheel moves together with the side arm when theside arm moves between the operative position and the transportposition. In this case, the distance between the front end and thesupport wheel increases during the movement from the working position tothe transport position when viewed in longitudinal direction. Thepossibilities of influencing the distribution of the mass are furtherincreased if the hitching means and the two support wheels form the solesupport points for the device in the transport position.

In one embodiment, the tools are rotating tools, wherein a main driveshaft extends along the main beam, wherein secondary drive shafts aremounted on both sides of the main beam for the drive of the tool carriedby the respective side arm, wherein the main drive shaft and thesecondary drive shafts are in operative connection with each other bymeans of a first transmission, in particular a gearbox, wherein thefirst transmission and the slide connection are interconnected forinterconnected movement, in particular at least partiallysimultaneously, whether or not according to differently shaped paths ofmovement. The interconnection can take place by means of one or moreconnecting rods which can directly transmit pulling and pushing forces.Due to the connection to the first transmission, the secondary driveshafts are thus able to follow at least partially the movement of theside arm from the operative position to the transport position and viceversa.

In one embodiment, there are also provided means for keeping the slideelement and the first transmission disconnected from each other over apart of the movement of the slide connection or the first transmission.It is thus possible to achieve a movement sequence, in dependence onwhen and over which trajectory the connected movement is desired.

In an embodiment thereof, the device is provided with a stop forlimiting the movement of the first transmission and with means fordisengaging the connection between the slide connection and the firsttransmission when the first transmission arrives at the stop. In thatcase, the slide connection can be displaced further, in particular tothe transport position.

In a further development with interconnected movement of the firsttransmission and the slide connection, the first transmission is movablein a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line.Interference of the first transmission with other construction parts isprevented to a significant extent by the movement in the vertical plane.

In this case, the first transmission can be movable in a movement with ahorizontal directional component oriented along the main beam.

In a first development thereof, the first transmission is movable in amovement parallel to the main beam which is then preferably providedwith a guide means (e.g., guide mechanism) for the movement of the firsttransmission. If the main drive shaft is adjustable in length, it willbe possible for the main drive shaft to follow the movement of the slideconnection by shortening/lengthening.

In a second, further development, the first transmission is also movablewith a vertical directional component in said vertical plane, preferablyin an area above the main beam, where sufficient space is available. Inthis case, the first transmission can be pivotable for movement about apivot centre line transverse to the vertical plane. In a compactembodiment, the first transmission is then mounted on a pivot arm afirst end of which is mounted to the main beam in a manner in which itis pivotable about the pivot centre line. In an embodiment thereof, theends of the connecting rod are rotatably connected to the slideconnection and the pivot arm, respectively, at a distance from the firstend thereof. The entrance of the first transmission can be operativelyconnected to a rear end of the main drive shaft by means of anintermediate drive shaft, wherein a front end of the main beam isprovided with means for hitching to a tractor, wherein the rear end ofthe main drive shaft is stationary in longitudinal direction withrespect to the hitching means. The first transmission can be rotatablewith respect to the pivot arm about a centre line which is parallel tothe pivot centre line of the pivot arm.

In a further development of the device according to the invention, saidsecondary drive shafts are adjustable in length.

Said second ends of the secondary drive shafts can be functionallyconnected to respective further transmissions, in particular gearboxes,which are mounted on the respective side arm, preferably in each casenear the end of the respective side arm, wherein the furthertransmissions are in operative connection with at least one cropprocessing tool. In each case more than one crop processing tool can bemounted on the end of the respective side arm, wherein the cropprocessing tools mounted on the respective side arm are driven by thesame secondary drive shaft. In a compact embodiment, the furthertransmissions are located in each case between the two crop processingtools, when viewed in transverse direction.

In particular, the crop processing tool can be a rake provided with acircular rake wheel having a substantially vertical rotor centre line inoperative position.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a method of changing theworking width of a haymaking device comprising a frame which is providedat a front end with means for hitching the device to a tractor, whereinthe frame defines a longitudinal centre line and comprises two side armsextending on both sides of the longitudinal centre line, wherein theside arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at aninner end hingeably connected to the rest of the frame, wherein theworking width of the device is reduced by reducing the distance definedalong the longitudinal centre line between the inner ends of the sidearms and the hitching means whilst increasing the angle between the sidearms and the forward directional component of the longitudinal centreline.

In order to bring the device into a transport position, said angle canbe increased to at least substantially 180 degrees. For the transportposition, the crop processing tools are brought into an out-of-operationposition with respect to the side arms.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a method of changing theworking width of a haymaking device comprising a frame which is providedat a front end with means for hitching the device to a tractor, whereinthe frame defines a longitudinal centre line and comprises two side armsextending on both sides of the longitudinal centre line, wherein theside arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at aninner end hingeably connected to the rest of the frame, wherein theworking width of the device is increased by increasing the distancedefined along the longitudinal centre line between the inner ends of theside arms and the hitching means whilst reducing the angle between theside arms and the forward directional component of the longitudinalcentre line.

In the above-mentioned methods according to the invention, the change ofthe distance between the inner ends of the side arms and the hitchingmeans can take place by sliding of a slide connection across alongitudinal girder forming part of the frame, to which slide connectionthe inner ends of the side arms are hingeably connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated uponreference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an oblique front view of an exemplary embodiment of ahaymaking device according to the invention, designed as a rake device;

FIGS. 2A-D show an enlarged view of a left half, an enlarged view of aright half, an enlarged view of a central part and a detail of a part ofthe device of FIG. 1, respectively;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show details of the device of FIG. 1 in two stages oftransition from an operative position to a transport position;

FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 1 during the transition from anoperative position to the transport position;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show, in a top view, the operative position of FIG.1, a narrower operative position and a transport position of the deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a transport positionbehind a tractor; and

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a central part of the deviceof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention,given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1and 2A-C show a circular rake device 1 with direction of travel W,comprising a main beam 2 which defines a longitudinal centre line S ofthe device 1 and a front end of which is provided with a hitch 3 forhitching to a non-shown tractor. The hitch 3 provides three degrees ofrotation (X,Y,Z). On the main beam 2 there is provided a slide element 5which is slidable over/along the main beam, parallel to the longitudinalcentre line S, see arrows A.

Two side arms 4 a,b extend on both sides of the main beam 2, from theslide element 5 at equal angles alpha (α) with the longitudinal centreline S. The outer ends of the side arms 4 a,b are provided withsubframes or secondary frames, hereinafter to be called satellite frames6 a,b. As will be explained hereinafter, the satellite frames 6 a,b arerotatable there about substantially vertical hinge centre lines withrespect to the side arms in the direction D. The satellite frames 6 a,beach carry two circular rakes 7 a,8 a and 7 b,8 b with substantiallyvertical rotational centre lines R1,3,2,4, respectively, and aresupported by frame support wheels 9 a,b which are located in the shadowof circular rakes 7 a,b. The two satellite frames 6 a,b make the device1 resemble to some extent to a catamaran.

The side arms 4 a,b are further connected to the main beam 2 (see alsoFIG. 2C) by means of holding rods 10 a,b, the outer ends of said holdingrods 10 a,b being hingeably connected in the region of hinges 12 a,b tobrackets 11 a,b which are mounted on the side arms 4 a,b. The inner endsof the holding rods 10 a,b are hingeably mounted to the slide element 5in the region of hinges 14 a,b. The holding rods 10 a,b and the part(here approximately ⅓) of the side arms 4 a,b between the hinges 12 a,band 14 a,b form, together with a part of the main beam 2 that isadjustable in length by means of the slide element 5, triangles whichare transformable in shape.

Aligning rods 16 a,b extend along the front side of the side arms 4 a,b,partially shielded by hoods 17 a,b, towards the hub holders 19 a,b forthe wheels 9 a,b. The hub holders 19 a,b are hingeably connected to boththe outer ends of the side arms 4 a,b (by hinge pin 18 a,b, see FIG. 2D)and to the outer ends of the aligning rods 16 a,b (by hinge pin 82 a,b,see FIG. 2D), in such a manner that a parallelogram mechanism active ina horizontal plane is formed, in which the hub holder and the slideelement form the short sides. The aligning rod 16 a,b is slidablyconnected indirectly, by means of the slide element 5, to the main beam2, as well as the side arm 4 a,b.

Also owing to the fact that the satellite frames 6 a,b form arotationally fixed unit with the hub holders 19 a,b (rigidly mounted onupper plate 83 a,b—FIG. 2D—of hub holders 19 a,b), they will maintaintheir orientation with respect to the longitudinal centre line S in thecase of deformation of the parallelogram mechanisms. The satelliteframes 6 a,b are located above the upper surface of the side arms 4 a,bso that the relative rotation of the side arms 4 a,b with respect to thesatellite frames 6 a,b in the direction B is not impeded.

The satellite frames 6 a,b, see also FIGS. 5A,B, each comprise aforwardly oriented satellite arm 21 a,b and a rearwardly orientedsatellite arm 22 a,b, which carry the circular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b,respectively, when these are not supported by wheel sets 31 a,b and 32a,b, known per se, which carry the circular rakes in the normaloperative position. The satellite arms 21 a,b and 22 a,b extend parallelto the longitudinal centre line S.

Outwardly oriented pivot arms 23 a,b are mounted to the front ends ofthe satellite arms 21 a,b in a manner in which they are pivotable in avertical plane about pivot centre lines C1,2 between an operativeposition and one or more raised positions, in particular an upwardlypivoted transport position. They each comprise a telescopic arm 33 a,bwith retractable/extendable arm parts 35 a,b and cylinders 37 a,b withpiston rods 39 a,b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 35 a,b. Thearm parts 35 a,b carry rotors 25 a,b on which rake arms 27 a,b with rakepins 29 a,b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In theoperative position, the rotors 25 a,b have substantially vertical rotorcentre lines R1.2. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 23 a,b,cylinders 41 a,b are provided, whose piston rods 43 a,b engage thetelescopic arms 33 a,b.

Outwardly oriented pivot arms 24 a,b are mounted to the rear ends of thearms 22 a,b in a manner in which they are pivotable in a vertical planeabout pivot centre lines C3,4 between an operative position and one ormore raised positions, in particular an upwardly pivoted transportposition. They each comprise a telescopic arm 34 a,b withretractable/extendable arm parts 36 a,b and cylinders 38 a,b with pistonrods 40 a,b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 36 a,b. The armparts 36 a,b carry rotors 26 a,b on which rake arms 28 a,b with rakepins 30 a,b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In theoperative position, the rotors 26 a,b have substantially vertical rotorcentre lines R3,4. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 24 a,b,cylinders 42 a,b are provided, whose piston rods 44 a,b engage thetelescopic arms 34 a,b.

The pivot arms 23 a,b and 24 a,b may be composed of identicalcomponents, so that a high degree of modularity is achieved.

The distance from the satellite arms 21 a,b to the longitudinal centreline S is smaller than the distance from the satellite arms 22 a,b tothe longitudinal centre line S, and the same applies to the location ofthe pivot centre lines C1,2 with respect to the pivot centre lines C3,4,see also FIG. 5A. The rotor centre lines R1,2 are located at a distancefrom the longitudinal centre line S, which distance is larger than thatfor the pivot centre lines C1,2 in the region of the pivot connection tothe satellite arms 21 a,b. On the contrary, the rotor centre lines R3,4are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line S, whichdistance is smaller than that for the pivot centre lines C3,4 in theregion of the pivot connection to the satellite arms 22 a,b. As a resultthereof, the pivot arms 23 a,b pivot upwardly and inwardly, and thepivot arms 24 a,b pivot upwardly and outwardly.

For the drive of the rotors 25 a,b and 26 a,b, there is provided acentral gearbox 50 which is movably supported by the main beam 2, in avertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line S. Thecentral gearbox 50 forms a double right-angled transmission having exits58 a,b which are in line with each other and have an opposite transverseorientation. The entrance 58 c of the central gearbox 50 is operativelycoupled, by means of a cardan coupling, to a main drive shaft 51 whichis telescopic and whose front end can be operatively coupled, by meansof a cardan coupling and an intermediate shaft 51 a in a bearing mountedon the front end of the main beam 2, to a power take-off shaft of atractor. The exits 58 a,b are operatively coupled, by means of cardancouplings, to telescopic secondary drive shafts 52 a,b whose outer endsare operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, to second cornergearboxes 53 a,b. The secondary drive shafts 52 a,b are continued, byshort drive shafts 54 a,b, to third corner gearboxes 55 a,b. The secondand third gearboxes 53 a,b and 55 a,b each comprise exits which extendobliquely forwardly and outwardly, and obliquely rearwardly andinwardly, respectively. Telescopic rotor drive shafts 56 a,b and 57 a,bare operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, to said exits,for the drive of the rotors 25 a,b and 26 a,b of the circular rakes 7a,b and 8 a,b.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A-, 3A and 3B, the central gearbox 50 ismounted on a slide 67 which is slidable in longitudinal direction(direction E) on rails 66 mounted on the main beam, the front ends ofsaid rails being interconnected by a transverse rod 62 which forms astop for the slide 67. The front side of the slide 67 is detachablyconnected, by means of a hook 63 (FIG. 3B), to a transverse section 61mounted to the rear ends of two rigid pulling/pushing rods 60 whosefront ends are mounted to the slide element 5 and have a substantiallyconstant orientation. The hook 63 forms an integral whole with a catch64 and is tiltable therewith in a vertical plane which contains thelongitudinal centre line S. Below the hook 63, the slide 67 is providedwith a forwardly oriented stop surface 91.

In order to move the slide element 5 along/over the main beam 2, acylinder 70 is mounted, above the main beam 2, to said main beam, thepiston rod 71 of said cylinder being mounted to the slide element 5.

The working width of the device 1 can be set by having the side arms 4a,b project sidewardly to a greater or lesser extent, by changing theangle alpha (α) between the side arms 4 a,b and the main beam 2. Thesupport wheels 9 a,b follow that setting and maintain substantiallytheir position with respect to the associated circular rakes. Theworking width can be set further (more precisely) by the cylinders 37a,b and 38 a,b, by means of which the relative mutual position of therake wheels 7 a,8 a and 7 b,8 b and their rotor centre lines intransverse direction can also be set.

When changing the working width of the device 1 and passing to thetransport position, the aforementioned cardan couplings can assume thedesired angular position.

In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the angle alpha (α) is maximaland the holding rods 10 a,b are transverse to the main beam 2 and theside arms 4 a,b are at a rearwardly opening angle alpha (α) ofapproximately 65 degrees to the longitudinal centre line S.

If it is desired to reduce the working width (from FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B)or to bring the device into the transport position (FIG. 5C), thecylinder 70 is activated, which results in that the slide element 5 ismoved with respect to the bracket 20 a,b, along/over the main beam 2, inforward direction (direction A). In the meantime, the device 1 is movedforwardly. The base of the aforementioned triangles is then increasedand the angles made by the holding rods 10 a,b and the side arms 4 a,bwith respect to said base are then decreased. When the desired workingwidth has been achieved (see for example FIG. 5B), the operation of thecylinder 70, and consequently the movement of the slide element 5, isstopped. Due to the parallelogram mechanism of the aligning rods 16 a,b,the hub holders 19 a,b, the side arms 4 a,b and the slide element 5, thesupport wheels 9 a,b maintain their orientation in the direction oftravel and the satellite frames 6 a,b also maintain their orientation.

In the position of a minimum working width of FIG. 5B, the slide 67 hasreached a position just behind the end of the rails 66 and the slide 67and the slide element 5 are still interconnected.

To pass to the transport position, the pivot arms 23 a,b and 24 a,b areoperated in the then assumed operative position, in order to pivot thecircular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b upwardly. The piston rod 71 is thenextended and, via the position of FIG. 4, the slide element 5 is forcedto the front end of the main beam 2, just behind the hitch 3. Theholding rods 10 a,b then—in the transport position of FIG. 5C—extendforwardly along the main beam 2. The side arms 4 a,b now make a smallangle of approximately 7 degrees with the longitudinal centre line S.The inner ends of the side arms 4 a,b are then brought as close aspossible to the hitch 3, as far as possible in front of the supportwheels 9 a,b, so that a larger part of the weight thereof and of thetools carried by the side arms can be absorbed by the hitch 3 of thetractor 100 (FIG. 6, arrow F), which enhances the stability duringtransport and limits a yawing movement. In addition, this makes itpossible to limit the length of the main beam.

In this case, the sole support points of the device 1 are the framesupport wheels 9 a,b and the hitch 3 to the tractor 100.

When the side arms 4 a,b are pivoted about the hinges 14 a,b, thedistance between the second and third gearboxes 53 a,b, 55 c,d and thelongitudinal centre line S changes. This change should be absorbed bythe telescopic secondary drive shafts 52 a,b. However, telescopic shaftscan do this only to a limited extent. By moving the ends of thesecondary drive shafts also with respect to each other in a directionparallel to the longitudinal centre line S, the extent to which theshortening/lengthening is required can be limited.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1,2A-C, 3A and 3B, for this purpose the slide67, and consequently the central gearbox 50, is connected for collectivemovement to the slide element 5 via the rods 60. The main drive shaft 51is then shortened in a telescopic manner. In this example, it has beendecided not to take along the slide 67 over the entire trajectory of theslide element 5 and to limit the length of the rails 66, also with aview to the space available in the transport position (see FIGS. 5C and6). For this purpose, at the arrival of the slide 67 at the end of therails 66, the catch 64 abuts against the transverse rod 62, as a resultof which the hook 63 is lifted. This means that the transverse section61 is free from the hook 63 and the connection between the slide element5 and the slide 67 is disengaged. The slide 67 remains at that position,while the slide element 5 can move further forwardly.

When the side arms 4 a,b are again extended to an operative position,the piston rod 71 of the cylinder 70 is retracted and the slide element5 again moves rearwardly. When the transverse section 61 abuts againstthe hook 63, the hook 63 is lifted to some extent and can engage againbehind the transverse section 61. The transverse section 61 abutsagainst the stop surface 91 of the slide 67. The slide 67 issubsequently pushed rearwardly over the rails 66. In the meantime, thedevice 1 is moved rearwardly.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative for making the central gearbox move alongwith the slide element. The central gearbox 50′ is mounted to the end ofa pivot arm 67′. In the region of a hinge 77 located somewhat behind thebracket 20′, the pivot arm 67′ is pivotable (F) about centre line Twhich is at right angles to a vertical centre plane which contains thecentre line S. The central gearbox 50′ cab rotate with respect to thearm 67′ in said vertical centre plane (direction G). Within the pivotarm 67′ there is an intermediate drive shaft 75 which is operativelycoupled by means of a wide-angle cardan coupling 76 to the main driveshaft included in the main beam 2′. In a region between its ends, thepivot arm 67′ is movably connected to the rear end of a pulling/pushingrod 60′ whose front end is mounted to the slide element 5′. Here, thecylinder 7—is located below the main beam 2.

In the maximum operative position, the pivot arm 67′ can be located inthe main beam 2′, the central gearbox 50′ then being located at lateralopenings 73 in the main beam 2′, 72 through which the two exits of thecentral gearbox can project. The pivot arm 67′ then rests in a positionin which the connection to the connecting rod 6′ is located at a higherlevel than the hinge 77. When the cylinder 70 is then activated and theslide element 5′ is forced forwardly, the connecting rod 60′ will makethe pivot arm 67′ pivot upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 6 andfurther, if desired, until the slide element 5′ has arrived at the hitch3 and the pivot arm 67′ is in a forwardly tilted position. When the sidearms 4 a,b are again folded out, said movements take place in reverseorder.

Further modifications in addition to those described above may be madeto the structures and techniques described herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specificembodiments have been described, these are examples only and are notlimiting upon the scope of the invention.

1. A haymaking device, comprising a frame having a main beam whichextends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centreline, and two side arms extending on both sides of the main beam,wherein the side arms each carry at least one crop processing tool,wherein the side arms are movable between a transport position, in whichthey extend substantially along the main beam, at a first angle to themain beam, and an operative position, in which the side arms extend at asecond angle, larger than the first angle, from the main beam, whereinthe side arms are at an inner end hingeably connected to a slideconnection which is slidable there along the main beam, wherein the sidearms are movable between the transport position and the operativeposition by a sliding movement of the slide connection along the mainbeam.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a frontend and a rear end, wherein, in the transport position, the slideconnection is located closer to the front end than in the operativeposition.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the side arms andthe main beam are interconnected at a distance from the slide connectionvia respective holding rods, wherein both ends of the holding rods arehingeably connected to the respective side arm and the main beam.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 3, wherein the holding rods have inner endsthat are stationary attached to the main beam when viewed inlongitudinal direction.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein themain beam is provided at a front end with a hitch to a tractor, whereinthe inner ends of the holding rods and the hitch are mutually stationarywhen viewed in longitudinal direction.
 6. The device according to claim1, wherein each side arm is provided with a support wheel for supportingthe side arm in the operative position and in the transport position. 7.The device according to claim 6, wherein the hitch and the two supportwheels form the sole support points for the device in the transportposition.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tools arerotating tools, wherein a main drive shaft extends along the main beam,wherein secondary drive shafts are mounted on both sides of the mainbeam for the drive of the tool carried by the respective side arm,wherein the main drive shaft and the secondary drive shafts are inoperative connection with each other via a first transmission.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 8, wherein the first transmission is agearbox, wherein the first gearbox and the slide connection areinterconnected for interconnected movement.
 10. The device according toclaim 9, wherein in the interconnected movement occurs at leastpartially simultaneously, independently of differently shaped paths ofmovement.
 11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the slideconnection and the first transmission are interconnected by one or moreconnecting rods.
 12. The device according to claim 8, provided with amechanism for keeping the slide element and the first transmissiondisconnected from each other over a part of the movement of the slideconnection or the first transmission.
 13. The device according to claim12, provided with a stop for limiting the movement of the firsttransmission, and with means for disengaging the connection between theslide connection and the first transmission when the first transmissionarrives at the stop, during movement to the transport position.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 8, wherein the first transmission is movablein a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein the first transmission is movablein a movement with a horizontal directional component oriented along themain beam.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the firsttransmission is movable in a movement parallel to the main beam.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 16, wherein the main beam is provided with aguide mechanism for the movement of the first transmission.
 18. Thedevice according to claim 15, wherein the main drive shaft is adjustablein length.
 19. The device according to claim 15, wherein the firsttransmission is also movable with a vertical directional component insaid vertical plane.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein thefirst transmission is movable with a vertical directional component inan area above the main beam.
 21. The device according to claim 19,wherein the first transmission is movable by a pivoting movement about apivot centre line transverse to the vertical plane.
 22. The deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the first transmission is mounted on apivot arm a first end of which is mounted to the main beam in a mannerin which it is pivotable about the pivot centre line in the verticalplane.
 23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the ends of theconnecting rod are rotatably connected to the slide connection and thepivot arm, respectively, at a distance from the first end thereof. 24.The device according to claim 22, wherein the entrance of the firsttransmission is operatively connected to a rear end of the main driveshaft by an intermediate drive shaft, wherein a front end of the mainbeam is provided with a hitch to a tractor, wherein the rear end of themain drive shaft is stationary in longitudinal direction with respect tothe hitch.
 25. The device according to claim 23, wherein the firsttransmission is rotatable with respect to the pivot arm about a centreline which is parallel to the pivot centre line of the pivot arm. 26.The device according to claim 8, wherein the secondary drive shafts (52a,b) are adjustable in length.
 27. The device according to claim 8,wherein the second ends of the secondary drive shafts are functionallyconnected to respective further transmissions, wherein the furthertransmissions are in operative connection with at least one cropprocessing tool.
 28. The device according to claim 27, wherein thefurther transmissions are gearboxes, which are mounted on the respectiveside arm, in each case near the end of the respective side arm.
 29. Thedevice according to claim 28, wherein in each case more than one cropprocessing tool is mounted on the end of the respective side arm,wherein the crop processing tools mounted on the respective side arm aredriven by the same secondary drive shaft.
 30. The device according toclaim 29, wherein the further transmissions are located between the twocrop processing tools, when viewed in transverse direction.
 31. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the crop processing tool is a rakeprovided with a circular rake wheel having a substantially verticalrotor centre line in operative position.
 32. A method of changing theworking width of a haymaking device comprising a frame which is providedat a front end with means for hitching the device to a tractor, whereinthe frame defines a longitudinal centre line and comprises two side armsextending on both sides of the longitudinal centre line, wherein theside arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at aninner end hingeably connected to the rest of the frame, characterized inthat the working width of the device is reduced by reducing the distancedefined along the longitudinal centre line between the inner ends of theside arms and the hitching means whilst increasing the angle between theside arms and the forward directional component of the longitudinalcentre line.
 33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the device isbrought into a transport position by increasing said angle to at leastsubstantially 180 degrees.
 34. The method according to claim 32, whereinthe change of the distance between the inner ends of the side arms andthe hitching means takes place by sliding of a slide connection across alongitudinal girder forming part of the frame, to which slide connectionthe inner ends of the side arms are hingeably connected.
 35. A method ofchanging the working width of a haymaking device comprising a framewhich is provided at a front end with means for hitching the device to atractor, wherein the frame defines a longitudinal centre line andcomprises two side arms extending on both sides of the longitudinalcentre line, wherein the side arms each carry at least one cropprocessing tool and are at an inner end hingeably connected to the restof the frame, characterized in that the working width of the device isincreased by increasing the distance defined along the longitudinalcentre line between the inner ends of the side arms and the hitchingmeans whilst reducing the angle between the side arms and the forwarddirectional component of the longitudinal centre line.
 36. The methodaccording to claim 35, wherein the change of the distance between theinner ends of the side arms and the hitching means takes place bysliding of a slide connection across a longitudinal girder forming partof the frame, to which slide connection the inner ends of the side armsare hingeably connected.